Mariska Hargitay has spent more than two decades embodying strength, compassion, and resilience as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. Off-screen, the Emmy-winning actress carries those same qualities into her own life — especially when it comes to love, marriage, and family. Recently, she opened up about her decision to marry later in life, revealing how waiting until she was 40 completely changed her perspective and brought her the kind of happiness she had always hoped for.

Looking back, Hargitay admits that her journey to love didn’t follow the traditional path — and she’s grateful for that. In her twenties and thirties, she was laser-focused on her career, pouring her heart into acting and working tirelessly to establish herself in Hollywood. “I wasn’t in a rush,” she has reflected in past interviews. “I believed love would come at the right time. I needed to grow into myself first.”

That growth paid off. By the time she met actor and writer Peter Hermann on the set of Law & Order: SVU in 2001, she was confident, grounded, and ready for something real. Hermann appeared in a guest role on the show, and what started as professional chemistry soon evolved into a deeper connection. Their first date — fittingly, at church — set the tone for what would become a lasting, faith-filled partnership.

Three years later, in 2004, the two were married. Hargitay was 40, and she’s described that moment as the beginning of her “greatest chapter.” She often says that waiting allowed her to enter marriage with a sense of completeness. “If I’d married earlier, I don’t think I would’ve been ready,” she has shared. “By 40, I knew who I was, what I valued, and what kind of love I wanted.”

Their marriage has since become one of Hollywood’s most admired love stories — strong, steady, and refreshingly private. Together, Hargitay and Hermann have built a beautiful family with three children: August, Amaya, and Andrew. Becoming a mother, she says, transformed her heart in ways she never imagined. “Motherhood opened me up,” she once explained. “It softened me and deepened my understanding of love.”

Her family life, however, didn’t come without challenges. Hargitay and Hermann’s journey included both biological and adoptive paths to parenthood, and through it all, the actress has spoken about the importance of patience and faith. “Things happen when they’re supposed to,” she’s said. “The waiting makes the joy even more meaningful.”

That belief in timing runs deep for Hargitay. It’s shaped her personal philosophy, her advocacy, and even the way she approaches her work on SVU. As the founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation — an organization that supports survivors of abuse and trauma — Hargitay has turned her empathy into action. She often connects her sense of purpose with her life experiences, explaining that both her career and her marriage were built on foundations that took time to form.

The actress’s story resonates with many who feel pressure to meet milestones by a certain age. In an industry that often glorifies youth, Hargitay’s journey stands as a reminder that fulfillment doesn’t come with deadlines. “It’s never too late,” she insists. “The right person, the right moment — it all comes when it’s meant to.”

Now in her 60s, Hargitay continues to radiate warmth and confidence, both on screen and off. Her marriage to Hermann remains strong, built on mutual respect, laughter, and shared values. Together, they’ve weathered the highs and lows of life in the public eye while keeping their family life grounded and private.

For Hargitay, marrying at 40 wasn’t about waiting too long — it was about waiting for the right one. That decision gave her not only a lifelong partner but also a deeper appreciation for timing, faith, and personal growth. “Love came to me when I was truly ready to receive it,” she says. “And that made all the difference.”

Her story is a powerful message for anyone who’s ever felt behind in life. Whether it’s love, career, or purpose, Mariska Hargitay proves that sometimes the best things come when we stop forcing the timeline and start trusting the journey. For her, waiting until 40 to marry wasn’t just a milestone — it was the moment when everything finally fell into place, just as it was meant to.